KTM’s Marvin Musquin Shines at Glen Helen to Sweep MX2 GP

Red
Bull KTM Factory rider Marvin Musquin was in a class of his own at
Glen Helen Raceway sweeping two impressive wins to take the victory
in the MX2 GP and soar further ahead in the championship standings.

San
Bernardino, CA – Musquin, who came from nowhere at the beginning of
the 2009 season to finish with the world title in his pocket won the
qualifying on Saturday, took both holeshots and won both motos at the
Glen Helen USGP.

“It’s
great to come and race in the U.S.A.,” stated the 20 year-old
Frenchman. “While in the lead during both races I stayed focused on
my lines and riding and was able to stay fast and smooth to prove
that my KTM and I were the best today.”

Musquin
came out of the gate like a rocket in the first moto, taking the
holeshot and mastering the tricky first corner to eventual settle
into a nice lead. He carried his lead all the way to the checkered
flag. His second moto was again another near flawless performance.
The second moto was cut short when a red flag was thrown with seven
minutes to go after the high winds knocked the Red Bull finish line
arch onto the track. All in all, the day was a perfect introduction
to the USA for Musquin who has already signed to race in the US for
KTM in 2011 and 2012. Musquin now leads the championship by 40
points.

Musquin’s
teammate, Shaun Simpson, also had two great starts and stayed with
the front runners for the first half of both races. He finished 9^th
in moto one and was 3^rd
overall in the second moto gaining 32 championship points for 5^th
overall. While Simpson was pleased to get the points he did admit it
was tough adjusting to the hot weather and difficult track
conditions. “It was very different riding here,” commented
Simpson. “The weather was hot, the track was very fast and the long
rips in the start straight made it difficult to get a good start. I
felt tired after the first 15 minutes in the first moto but the
second was better and I had a good rhythm.”

The
third member of the MX2 team, young 15 year-old Jeffrey Herlings, had
unfortunate luck in both motos. He twice got tangled with other
riders in the early stages of both motos and had to fight his way
back into action from the back of the pack. While it was
understandably disappointing to Herlings who has already had a GP
victory in his first season and is high in the point standings, he
could still take something positive from the experience. “This
track was very fast compared to the tracks in Europe. It didn’t
bring me any luck but it was still pretty cool to race such a well
known track,” stated Herlings. His 13 points from the race leave
him 4^th
in the championship point standings.

MX2
Results

1. Marvin Musquin, France, KTM, 25-25—50
2. Zach Osborne,
USA, Yamaha, 18-22—40
3. Steven Frossard, France, Kawasaki,
22-18—40
4. Ken Roczen, Germany, Suzuki, 20-16—36
5.
Shaun Simpson, Britain, KTM, 112-20—32
Other
KTM
7.
Jake Nichols, Britain, KTM, 11-14—25
9. Dennis Verbruggen,
Belgium, KTM 7-15—22